Press & Media

Welcome to our Press & Media page, your hub for insightful articles, captivating videos, and a glimpse into our impressive collection of awards. Explore our engaging content and witness the impact we've made in the industry.

Awards

We’re proud to have been recognised for the following awards:

  • Bristol Mum Awards 2023 – Winner for Inspirational Mum of the Year

  • Beatsbydre BHM 2022 – UK recognition

  • Rise Award Winner 2022 – Entrepreneur of the Year

  • Baton Award Winner 2021 – Paulette Wilson, Campaigner of the Year

  • Nourish Your Community 2021 – Winner

  • Nominated for a National Diversity award 2021 – Positive Role Model of the year

  • Bristol Diversity Awards 2020 – Positive Role Model for Race & Ethnicity

  • Thank You Award 2017 – Winner

Key Achievements

Key Achievements that we are proud to have accomplished:

  • Filmed a BBC Documentary, 2018

  • Crossing Coasts Top Trump Cards, 2023 (see image)

  • Published Representation Matters Book, May 2022

  • Listed as Bristol’s Top 40 Coolest People (Number 37), Oct 2022

  • Front Cover of BHM 2020 (Bristol)

  • Hosted an In Conversation at Waterstones: Aisha Thomas & Ibram X Kendi, July 2022

  • Listed in Top 30 to watch list, UWE 30th anniversary celebration, 2023

We believe we can all play a role inspiring the next generation. #RepresentationMatters

Video Hub

TEDxBristol 2019: Why Representation Really Matters

Aisha Thomas's TEDx talk challenges us to imagine a world where all races are represented in all aspects of life. Where children grow up with a sense of value, connection and understanding of difference.

Bristol Distinguished Address Series

In the first episode of the Spring 2023 Bristol Distinguished Address Series, Aisha is joined in conversation with Dr Craig Johnston where they discuss artificial practice, equity, justice, liberation and why representation really does matter.

SET Squared Bristol

Aisha Thomas speaks with Enterprising Women about the Set Square Program and how it has helped her business.

BHM Front Cover Spotlight 2020

Aisha Thomas speaks to BHM about the importance of representation for our younger generations and sowing seeds of representation.

City Academy's Black History Month on BBC Points West

City Academy Bristol is one of four pilot schools in Bristol trialling the addition of more Black History across their curriculum.

BBC: How to be a better ally to your students: black allies

Aisha states the importance of protecting young people from racism and safeguarding being everyone’s responsibility. She emphasises the need for teachers to acknowledge that racism exists and to take quick action when students report racist incidents.

Flair: Dealing with Racist Incidents in Schools

What constitutes a racist incident, and how can schools not only ensure they deal with it in an appropriate and timely manner, but also take a preventative approach to create safe environments? Join an expert panel as we delve into dealing with racist incidents in schools, including our Lead Associate Shauna Stewart.

Lack of black teachers 'shocking' - BBC News

A BBC Inside Out West investigation has found there are 26 working in Bristol's secondary schools, out of more than 1,300 teachers, which equates to just 1.9% of teachers currently employed in the city. Aisha asked her white boss if he was the right person to be leading the multi-racial school.

Mind the Gap, Ep. 57 (S3E13)

Aisha Thomas joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss representation. The conversation focuses on Aisha’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work and expertise in training classroom educators to increase representation, develop inclusive curriculum, and create a framework for anti-racism/anti-prejudice environments.

‘Being Black’ - A series curated by Sun Kissed Youth, exploring the 'Black' experience

Race? A sense of identity? A shared experience? ‘Being Black’ is not something any of us can qualify on our own. In this series from Sun Kissed Youth, we explore some of the ideas held about the nature, complexity and reality of the ‘Black’ experience.

One Bristol Curriculum : Students' Voice

The One Bristol Curriculum project sees local arts practitioners and historians working together with schools and teachers to create a diverse curriculum that integrates into all core subjects of the whole curriculum.

City Academy Assistant Principal on Newsnight

City Academy Assistant Principal, Aisha Thomas, was asked on a BBC Newsnight special her thoughts on working through the pandemic. This is what Aisha had to say.